Bridge kit



arch 24, 1936- J. J. BERGHOFF ET AL I 9 9 BRIDGE KIT Filed Oct. 12, 1935 THEY Patented Mar. 24, 1936 BRIDGE KIT Joseph J. Berghofir, Archibald E. Roman, and George M. Williams, Detroit, Mich.

Application October 12, 1935, Serial No. 44,738

8 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in bridge kits. It is an object of the invention to provide a self-contained kit comprising a folded holder wherein a plurality of separate articles are so mounted that there is no fear of accidental displacement of any one of them, and wherein the various articles are so mounted as to permit their ready removal.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bridge kit comprising a holder the base of which is cut to form integral lugs or tabs arranged in opposed pairs, each pair holding the opposite sides of the lower cover of a book of matches; and to so arrange the tabs and match books that the latter are substantially radially positioned. We also utilize the inner portions of the match books to retain flat elements, such as score sheets and beverage coasters, against the base; and by arranging the tabs around the ele- 20 ments the former prevent material movement of the latter upon the base.

A further object of the invention is to provide a bridge kit wherein the tabs exert downward pressure upon the lower covers of the match 25 books adjacent their folded extremities, and the flat elements over which the open ends of the match books extend hold the latter in a somewhat raised position, so that not only do the match books exert a. downward pressure upon the flat elements, but the pressure exerted upon the lower covers of the match books draws their folded upper cover portions down into frictional engagement with the tally cards, one of which is inserted laterally in each match book between the upper faces of the matches therein and the folded upper cover portion of the book.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a bridge kit wherein: the upper portion of the folded holder is intended to cover and protect the holder contents, and the outer face of the said upper portion is ornamented and arranged to serve as a table marker; the entire kit is cheap and simple to manufacture and assemble; and the various parts which go to make up the entire kit are combinatively mounted to afiord security against loss for all the various parts, and to provide ready detachment of any one of them.

Having thus briefly stated some of the objects 50 and advantages of the invention, we will now proceed to describe the preferred embodiment thereof with the aid of the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates the bridge kit with the top 55 raised.

Figure 2 is a side View thereof with the top closed.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of one of the tallies.

Figure 4 is a portion of a score sheet. 5

Figure 5 is an enlarged side view showing one match book frictionally holding the flat elements upon the holder base, and a tally held in the match book.

Figure 6 is a reduced view of the kit when 10 closed.

Referring to the drawing, I designates a holder, preferably made of cardboard, folded to form a base 2 and a top 3, both of which are of identical contour so that when the holder is closed the margins of the base and top coincide. The outer face of the top 3 may be suitably ornamented and is preferably provided with a space: indicated at t so that the holder may be used as a table marker. The inner face of the top (not shown) may be suitably printed, for instance a bridge score table may be printed thereon.

Formed in the base 2 of the holder are a plurality of slots 5a shaped to provide opposed pairs of lugs or tabs 5, which project towards one another and are integral with the base 2. Each opposed pair of tabs engages the lateral margins of the lower cover 6 of a match book 1 of conventional make. The tabs 5 are so arranged that the match books are substantially radially supported upon the base 2.

Resting substantially centrally upon the base 2 are a plurality of flat elements 8 placed one upon the other. In the present instance the elements 8 consist of beverage coasters 9, preferably made of relatively thick and somewhat absorbent paper, and score sheets iii. The inwardly disposed extremities of the match books '5 proj-ect inwardly over the elements. 8 and hold them against displacement. Firstly because of the re- 40 silient engagement of the match books 1 by the tabs 5, and again because the tabs are located around the elements 8, preferably quite near their margins, thus preventing material movement of the said elements.

The match books 'i are preferably arranged with their closed, folded extremities outwardly disposed. The upward pressure exerted by the elements 8 beneath the inner extremities of the books together with the downward pull exerted upon the lower cover portions 6 by the tabs 5 draws the upper portions H of the match covers down upon the matches l3 therein. Tally cards I4 are inserted transversely in the match books 1 between the matches and the upper cover portio ns I2 and are thus frictionally engaged. Openings l5 are preferably formed through the tally sheets l4 adjacent their upper extremities to receive conventional tassels l6 which are packed separately in the package, and are held in the assembly upon the base 2, in the present instance between the elements 8.

While in the foregoing the preferred embodiment of the invention has been described and shown, it is understood that the kit is susceptible to such alterations and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What we claim is:

1. In an arrangement of the character described, the combination of a base having integral resilient tabs arranged in opposed pairs, a plurality of book matches, each pair of tabs extending partwa over the lower cover of one of the match books from opposite sides, said tabs and match books being substantially radially positioned upon said base, and said books being held against the base by the tabs, and a plurality of flat elements held upon the base by the inwardly projecting extremities of the match books and positively held against lateral displacement by said tabs.

2. In an arrangement of the character described, the combination of a folded holder comprising a base and a top, said base having slots therein to form tabs integral with the base, said tabs being arranged in opposed pairs, said pairs of tabs being located substantially radially around the centre of the base, a plurality of book matches, each pair of tabs extending partially over the lower cover of one of the match books from opposite sides, a plurality of fiat elements resting substantially centrally upon the base, said books projecting over the fiat elements to hold them upon the base, said tabs positively preventing lateral displacement of said elements, and said top being adapted to cover the match books and the elements.

3. In an arrangement of the character described, the combination of a holder comprising a flat base having a plurality of arcuate slots therein to form resilient tabs integral with the base, said tabs being arranged in opposed pairs radially positioned around the base, a plurality of match books the lower cover of each of which is resiliently engaged on opposite sides by one pair of tabs, said match books projecting inwardly beyond the tabs, and a plurality of fiat elements on said base over which the inner extremities of the match books extend and which are held against lateral movement by the tabs.

4. In an arrangement of the character described, the combination of a holder comprising a base having slots therein to form opposed pairs of integral resilient tabs, match books retained on said base by said tabs, flat elements on the base over which the open ends of the match books extend, each match book being drawn down onto the base by one pair of opposed tabs, the elements holding the open ends of the match books in raised position, and a tally inserted transversely into each match book between its upper cover portion and the matches beneath it, the resilient engagement of the tabs and the raised position of the open ends of the match books drawing the upper cover portions of the latter into frictional engagement with the tallies.

5. In a bridge kit, the combination of a folded holder comprising a flat base and cover of identical form, the outer face of the cover constituting a table marker, the base being slotted to iorm a plurality of raised tabs on its inner face which are arranged radially in opposed pairs, score sheets and beverage coasters placed one upon the other on the portion of the base around which the tabs are disposed, book matches each engaged by one pair of tabs and extending over said score sheets and coasters to retain them in position, and a tally card extending transversely beneath the upper cover of each match book, said books being so engaged by said tabs that their upper covers frictionally engage the tallies.

6. In a kit of the character described, the combination of a base having integral flexible tabs arranged in opposed pairs, a plurality of book matches, each pair of tabs extending partway over the lower cover of one of the match books from opposite sides, and a plurality of fiat elements resting upon said base, said match books extending over said elements holding them in position and said tabs engaged by said match books holding said element against displacement.

'7. In a kit of the character described, the combination of a base and a cover formed therewith to fold over said base, a plurality of book matches, said base having integral tabs formed in opposed pairs, each pair of tabs extending partway over the lower cover of one of the match books from opposite sides of the latter, a plurality of flat elements resting upon the base, said match books extending partially over said elements to retain them in position, said tabs engaging said match books holding the elements against displacement, and the cover when folded over the base protecting the latter and the match books and elements.

8. In a kit of the character described, the combination of a base, a plurality of book matches, separate means on said base engaging the lower covers of said book matches, and a plurality of fiat elements resting upon said base, said book matches each extending partway over said elements and holding them in position, said means also preventing accidental displacement of said fiat elements upon said base.

JOSEPH J. BERGHOFF. ARCHIBALD E. BOMAN. GEORGE M. WILLIAMS. 

